Prakash Karat fights back on results eve

The CPI(M) headquarters here received an unexpected visitor on Friday in BSP leader Satish Mishra, a key aide to UP CM Mayawati.

With this one meeting, Prakash Karat defiantly told the Congress and the BJP that they would really have to work the levers to poach numbers from the Third Front.

The CPI(M) general secretary, who remained closeted with Mishra for over 45 minutes, did not reveal what transpired at the meeting but signaled that he disagreed with the premature obituaries to the Third Front.

Karat had reportedly sought reassurance from the BSP after reports of Mayawati hobnobbing with the BJP surfaced. Mishra was also scheduled to meet NCP leader and Union minister Praful Patel later in the day, giving credence to party chief Sharad Pawar’s PM bid.

Karat remained busy throughout the day, speaking to key ally Chandrababu Naidu of the TDP and even BJD president Naveen Patnaik. Sources said Naidu has been asked to maintain contact with AIADMK chief J Jayalalithaa.

Reports that Jayalalithaa had secret meetings with both the Congress and the BJP circulated throughout the day. By evening, however, she sent a signal to the Left that she would attend the Third Front rally in Delhi on May 18.

For Karat, it has been a big gamble, often in the teeth of opposition and skepticism from his own party members. He is hoping that the Third Front as a bloc of seats would be able to drive a hard bargain. For that, the flock will have to stay together, despite attempts by the two big parties to break it.